Performance measures translate programatic goals and objectives into measurable indicators of progress. They are a vital part of the adaptive management approach, advocated by the council,that provides decision-useful information about areas of success as well as weakness. This insight helps reveal the critical areas in need of adjustment. A successful performance measurement process aligns limited monitoring resources to priorities and, in doing so, helps to ensure that outcomes meet expectations.
The goal of being able to measure the progress of what the Delta Plan is designed to manage is fundamental to determining the success of the Plan, as well as ensuring the proper use of adaptive management techniques in fine-tuning the Plan’s operation. The Delta Reform Act of 2009 requires the Delta Plan to include performance measures. The Plan says the measures "need to be designed to capture important trends and to address whether actions are producing expected results."